Considering the book is categorized as business and self-help, the reader gets treated to an unexpected tale rather than what most expect when reading a business book. Some business books have used this approach and have been successful by teaching through a tale.
The tale in Free the Beagle is open to many interpretations. The reader goes on the journey with a lawyer and his beagle. The two meet various obstacles and characters in every chapter, and each chapter could change your mind what the story tries to teach.
While reading the story, try to enjoy for what it's about and avoid the temptation to over-analyze it. See where it goes and then read the transcript. Chances are at least one of the six individuals interpreted the story the same way as you. If you read the story a second time, your perceptions might change, especially after reading the transcript.
The story covers hope, intellect, love, intuition, and faith that can be applied to business and life. These emotions are characters in the book and they represent their names. When the tale ends, one might think it's a nice story that could have several meanings. But the whopper and the book's gem comes in the last chapter with the transcript of the dialogue in which six individuals in various professions share their perspectives and interpretation of the story.
There is one gripe with the story. The use of "Son of the King" is limiting. Many of us think of one thing when it comes to that reference no matter our religious background or lack of one. Using a different reference would help the book stick to its goal of leaving things wide open to different interpretations. Free the mind of the reference and let book guide you on an adventure without any preconceived notions. Even the other business books that use storytelling don't measure up to this one.
Meryl was blessed with a real beagle for 13 years.
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